Bus Onibus (regular bus): The route number and destination of the bus are displayed on the front of the bus. When catching a bus, wave your hand at the driver to get the bus to pick you up (they may not always stop just because you are standing there). The bus is safe during the day but beware of pickpockets (especially at night). Some buses connect to the metro stations. These buses are blue and say “integração.” Pay the fare (R$3.10) on the bus and you will be handed a blue and white metro card that is good for the next two hours. R$2.5-R$3.10
Microbus: Due to a shortage of buses in Rio, microbuses are plentiful. These vans have their origin, destination and fare written on the side of the vehicle. Often, a man hanging halfway out of the vehicle will call to the people on the street to see if they need a ride. They will pick you up and drop you off anywhere so long as its on their route. Using the vans can be faster than the onibus. Fare: R$2-5
Metro As of now, there are only 2 metro lines. Line 1 runs from Ipanema to the Centro (Downtown) and Line 2 runs from the Centro to the north. You can buy a single ride or a rechargeable card. Line 1 is indicated by red letters on the electronic sign on the side of the metro. Line 2 is indicated by green letters. Fare: R$2.80
Stops of Interest: General Osorio: Ipanema Shopping and Beach Cinelandia: Palace movie theater Central: Sambodromo Maracana: Rio’s Soccer stadium (closed until 2013) Carioca: Praca XV
Walking Be prepared for a lot of walking. It’s also useful to have a good map of Rio (or at least your frequented areas --- Ipanema, Copacabana, Leblon, Lapa) which can be found at Riotur tourism offices which are located in the international airport and at Copacabana (Av. Princesa Isabel 183). They also publish a list of events and fun things to do in the city.
Transportation Words in Portuguese: Onibus ... bus Carro ... car Avião ... plane Barco ... boat Metro ... subway Rua ... street Devagar ... slow Depressa ... fast
Onibus (regular bus):
The route number and destination of the bus are displayed on the front of the bus. When catching a bus, wave your hand at the driver to get the bus to pick you up (they may not always stop just because you are standing there). The bus is safe during the day but beware of pickpockets (especially at night).
Some buses connect to the metro stations. These buses are blue and say “integração.” Pay the fare (R$3.10) on the bus and you will be handed a blue and white metro card that is good for the next two hours.
R$2.5-R$3.10
Microbus:
Due to a shortage of buses in Rio, microbuses are plentiful. These vans have their origin, destination and fare written on the side of the vehicle. Often, a man hanging halfway out of the vehicle will call to the people on the street to see if they need a ride. They will pick you up and drop you off anywhere so long as its on their route. Using the vans can be faster than the onibus.
Fare: R$2-5
Metro
As of now, there are only 2 metro lines. Line 1 runs from Ipanema to the Centro (Downtown) and Line 2 runs from the Centro to the north. You can buy a single ride or a rechargeable card. Line 1 is indicated by red letters on the electronic sign on the side of the metro. Line 2 is indicated by green letters.
Fare: R$2.80
Stops of Interest:
General Osorio: Ipanema Shopping and Beach
Cinelandia: Palace movie theater
Central: Sambodromo
Maracana: Rio’s Soccer stadium (closed until 2013)
Carioca: Praca XV
Walking
Be prepared for a lot of walking. It’s also useful to have a good map of Rio (or at least your frequented areas --- Ipanema, Copacabana, Leblon, Lapa) which can be found at Riotur tourism offices which are located in the international airport and at Copacabana (Av. Princesa Isabel 183). They also publish a list of events and fun things to do in the city.
Transportation Words in Portuguese:
Onibus ... bus
Carro ... car
Avião ... plane
Barco ... boat
Metro ... subway
Rua ... street
Devagar ... slow
Depressa ... fast